System and Method for Imaging Tear Film on Ocular Surface
Jianhua Wang and Shuliang Jiao
Problem
Imaging of a tear film interface between an eye and a contact lens is important in studying contact lens fitting behavior. When OCT imaging is employed to analyze the tear film, one of the two tear film surfaces is typically not recognizable. What is needed is the ability to see both tear film surfaces when studying the tear film interface with OCT instrumentation.
Solution
The present invention provides an addition of a scattering media that is added to a tear film to increase its contrast against the background. The scattering media improves differentiation of optical properties of a tear film from its surrounding environment. The scattering media may be composed of different substances of varying concentrations to provide the desired contrast for a particular imaging application.
Competitive Advantage
The invention enables imaging of a tear film with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) instrumentation. Currently, there are no existing methods of tear film OCT imaging.
Applications
(1) Contact lenses development process.
(2) Ophthalmic medication development and testing.
Patent Status
International patent application
WO2009058850 (A1) entitled entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING TEAR FILM ON OCULAR SURFACE" was published on May 5, 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are looking for a commercialization partner with capabilities in product development, sales, and marketing. An exclusive worldwide license is available.
About the Inventors
Jianhua (Jay) Wang, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Miami. Prior to the current position, he worked as a research assistant professor in University of Rochester Eye Institute, with a second appointment in the Center for Vision Research (CVS) at the University of Rochester, and as a research associate in the center for contact lens research (CCLR) at University of Waterloo, Canada, where he obtained his Ph.D. degree on vision science. He has conducted extensive research using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in anterior segment of the eye during the last 6 years and has published many articles. Dr. Wang also earned a MD degree in China and practiced ophthalmology for 7 years in China.
Shuliang Jiao received his Ph.D. in Laser technology in 1992 and a second Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering in 2003. His research has focused on optical coherence tomography (OCT) and polarimetry in biological tissues since 2000. Dr. Jiao joined the faculty of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in March 2004. Through his effort, several generations of high resolution 3D ophthalmic spectral-domain OCT system have been developed for imaging the retinal and anterior segments of human and animals. Dr. Jiao's research interests include both OCT technology development and OCT applications in ophthalmology, dermatology, and small animal imaging (structural and functional).
Selected References
Wang JH, Fonn D, Simpson T, Jones L. The measurement of corneal epithelial thickness in response to hypoxia using optical coherence tomography. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2002;133:315-319.
Wang JH, Fonn D, Simpson T, Jones L. Relation between optical coherence tomography and optical pachymetry measurements of corneal swelling induced by hypoxia. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2002;134:93-98.
Wang JH, Fonn D, Simpson T. Topographical thickness of the epithelium and total cornea after hydrogel and PMMA contact lens wear with eye closure. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. 2003;44:1070-1074.
Wang JH, Fonn D, Simpson T, Jones L. Pre-corneal and pre- and post-lens tear film thickness measured with optical coherence tomography. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. 2003;44:2524-2528.
Wang JH, Fonn D, Simpson T. Topographical thickness changes of the epithelium and total cornea after overnight lens wear of flat-fitted rigid gas permeable lenses. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. 2003;44:4742-4746.
Wang JH, Thomas JM, Cox I, Rollins A. Non-contact measurements of central corneal epithelial and flap thickness after laser in situ keratomileusis. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. 2004;45:1812-1816.
Wang JH, Simpson T, Fonn D. Objective measurements of corneal light backscatter during corneal swelling using optical coherence tomography. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science. 2004;45:3493-3498.
Thomas JM, Wang JH, Rollins A. Sturm J. Comparison of corneal thickness measured with 1310 nm OCT, ultrasonic pachymeter and Orbscan. Journal of Refractive Surgery. 2006;22:671-678.
